“It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe.

“Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Mugabe was hospitalised in Singapore for months for an undisclosed ailment.

Officials often said he was being treated for a cataract, denying frequent private media reports that he had prostate cancer.

No further details were immediately available about the circumstances of his death.

Mugabe was forced to step down by the military in November 2017 following nationwide mass protests.

The former political prisoner-turned-guerrilla leader swept to power in the 1980 elections to become Prime Minister after a growing rebellion and economic sanctions forced the white minority colonial government to the negotiating table.

He abolished the office of the Prime Minister in 1987 to become president till 2017.